By A child care center is one of the building blocks for your child’s future. Basically it is a place where you can leave your child for a few hours when you are working or even on some occasions. But as a parent, there are a lot of doubts in your mind because the care you provide to your child is definitely not going to be there at these centers. Nevertheless, there are plenty of centers that do provide close to what you do for your kids and ensure that quality care is provided.
Some of them that you should definitely take into account when you are scouting for centers to put your kids in:
- Cleanliness and hygiene
The first impression is definitely the last impression when it comes to child care hygiene and cleanliness. Make no compromises here because your child would be spending an average of 4-8 hours here. An unclean and messy place is like a hub of diseases. It means higher risks of infection too.
- Level of attention and care
The other important aspect here is the level of attention and care that your child is being provided with. For example, what is the child to the care-taker ratio? A higher ratio of children: care takers, means higher risks of negligence and accidents. Opt for a child care center that also has provision for more caretakers with fewer kids. Caring is important too and you have to ensure that caretakers are loving and caring.
- Reviews and ratings
Do ask around and see if the child care center that you are planning for is highly rated by parents. You can ask colleagues and family or even friends on this. If they are happy with the services, it is likely that you are getting your child into a safe zone. Alongside, do also check the online ratings and reviews.
- Proximity to work or home
Along with all of the above, it is also important that you check for the centers proximity to work or your home. You really don’t want to go to the opposite end of the town and drop your child. Instead look for something that is closer to home or even work, thus more accessible for you.
- Availability of meals
Most child care centers do provide for meals for the kids. Do make sure that they take into account the special needs of your kids (if they have some). Besides you need to check if the meals provided are hygienic and healthy, along with being tasty. Since these are growing years and at least 2-3 meals are being eaten at the center, this is imperative.
- Activities and education
Besides all of this, you also need to ensure that your child is getting the optimal level of activity, education and fun along with care at these centers. So these should include your basic games, fun and educational toys along with even use of gadgets. The idea is that your child should not be just engaged in fun activities like playing all the time at these centers. Education and learning are also crucial aspects of choosing these child care centers.
These are some of the most important factors that should be taken into account when you are putting your son/ daughter in any kind of a day-care center or facility. Besides this, do also check for the kind of monthly or annual fees they have. You don’t want to spend a crazy amount on this when you could have afforded a nanny for the same price and got the child care done at home.
